Will Smith has an interview with Gayle King that aired on CBS Sunday Morning. Oscar voting starts on March 17 and runs to the 22nd, so he’s doing his appeal to Academy members. Will is surely the frontrunner for Best Actor, but now that Jane Campion has stuck her foot in her racist mouth, I hope that means that my favorite movie, King Richard, is a strong contender for Best Picture. I also really liked CODA and know that it has a better chance, but fingers crossed for King Richard. It’s been so long since I’ve found a movie that moving and entertaining. Plus it’s a true story! Serena and Venus are here to remind us, and I’m looking forward to seeing them at the Oscars.
Will was candid and open with Gayle, and I enjoyed his interview. He talked about his difficult childhood with an abusive father, about his plans for his career, and about his marriage. I am new to the Will Smith fandom and have zero appreciation for Red Table Talk, but I could identify with his spirituality. Here’s some of what he said and the video is below.
“You were asked, ‘What do you want out of this career?’ And you said you want to be …?”
“The biggest movie star in the world,” he replied.
Smith’s dream came true with a string of blockbusters. “I’m just saying, Gayle, you know, I mean, people make movies in a row, but if you’re gonna make three in a row … I mean, what we talking about? What are we talking about? ‘Bad Boys’? ‘Independence Day’? ‘Men in Black’?”
King asked, “Did you ever think of your race as a deterrent for you in Hollywood, considering the success you’ve had?”
“You know, I never looked at my race as keeping me from being able to do anything,” Smith said. “And I’ve been a really firm believer that, first and foremost, you gotta believe, and when you believe, and if you believe in the level of your belief, [that] will determine your ability to bend the universe. If you don’t believe, nobody’s gonna believe.”
King asked, “How do you handle all the chatter about your marriage?”
“I have decided that chatter about my life can be of a benefit to people,” he said. “I think that chatter is the first stage to having a real conversation, and being able to truly explore if some of the things in your heart are loving, or poisonous.”
“You both have talked very candidly — it’s a very famous story – infidelity in the marriage and how you navigated that that time …”
“Yeah, never. There’s never been infidelity in our marriage.”
“Never been infidelity in the marriage?”
“Never,” he said. “Jada and I talk about everything. And we have never surprised one another with anything, ever.”
A lot of couples feel this way, that if they are honest about seeing other people it’s not cheating. To each their own and relationships are complicated. It’s hard for me to relate to this as I’ve always been a monogamist, but I’m also divorced so there’s that. Also, is that true that the universe bends to our belief? I believe in goal setting and envisioning a specific future for ourselves. If we don’t think it’s possible we don’t make the changes needed to make it happen. Is that the universe bending to our beliefs or us taking the necessary steps so our dreams happen? I know this is basic philosophy and spirituality but I think about it a lot.
Photos credit: Avalon.red and via Instagram
I wonder if all the oversharing is part of breaking away from Scientology. The “Church” can’t keep any control over them if Will and Jade spill their own secrets.
No they have been like that for years. I remember back in 2004 Jada and Will were going on and on about what a great sex life they have and how they should write a book about it. They even went on Oprah talking about it.
I think this is the most linear & honest thing he’s EVA said about his marriage…and it actually raised his stock in my entertainment portfolio 😝
He’s saying vague words towards what we already know. They have affairs. They’re Scientologists. Will is Bi. Jada and Will groomed that teenager to be jada’s lover.
His words are just carefully chosen to paint himself and their relationship in a better light. It’s a clever form of manipulation.
In polyamory, cheating is often defined by keeping secrets. Their emphasis on open communication (which is a huge part of the ethics of polyamory) makes me think they lean that way.
I wish he didn’t have to be asked about such things when promoting his career, but both of them have always been extremely vocal about their private lives, so how could Gayle NOT ask?
He looks really good here, he’s aged really well. I haven’t seen King Richard yet but hope to soon.
His comments on racism are concerning.
Like, all the Black people murdered by police because, racism, just didn’t bend the universe & believe enough?
It works for him, so that’s great.
It’s also low key blaming Black people for the racism they suffer.
He has a privileged mindset on racism as many wealthy people of all races do.
I have watched de Red table and l was surprised by Jada, l.always thought of her as quiet a severe lady in looks and personality but she isn’t at all, she is very beautiful and seems v nice and honest, she addressed been a scientologist said she attended de centre to find out more but that was it !!! Jada admitted to having an affair but said she and Will had separated at that time ?? However Will seemed v hurt and still mad about by her admission , but l dont know they seem to have come through it and seem stronger! I hope so as l like them as a couple
@Wiglet Watcher Classism is racism for rich people.
Hyrule Castle, I came here to say this and you said it better.
What he’s saying is the standard Law of Attraction/The Secret talking point.
What you’re saying is the logical conclusion to these LoA/TS rules but the believers always pretend it doesn’t exist because it all of a sudden makes their movement look bad.
If believing super strongly was all it took to bend the universe to your will, Hillary would be president. Remember the Amy poehler-Tina Fey skit back before Obama was elected? “Sarah Palin” was telling “Clinton” she must not have wanted it enough.
Will Smith’s brand of charming works on me. Every time. 🤷♀️ Whatever he and Jada have between them is working because they obviously love each other very much and I envy them that. I hope he wins the Oscar.
I’m not sure what there is to envy about their relationship. Only a couple of months ago they were both talking about how miserable they are in their marriage and how they don’t believe in divorce. I will admit that they put on a great show for when promoting and Award season.
I’m not sure Will words it well, but it reminds me of what Idris Elba gave as advice to Riz Ahmed: ‘Don’t categorize yourself, even if they do’.
Just like what some of the posters said above, I’m really uncomfortable with how he answered the race question. It would have been a great opportunity for him to shed light on the struggle and at the same time, give hope, encourage black and other people of color that in spite of the oppression and all the other deterrents placed before us, we can rise and even become the biggest movie star in the world if we want to. I don’t know if that answer is because he’s a scientologist but it definitely reeks of detachment and privilege.
I miss Chadwick Boseman.
I don’t care about his sex life. I really don’t. If he has multiple partners and his wife is cool with it, FINE. If Jada has lovers and Will don’t care, that’s FINE. I just want to STOP HEARING ABOUT IT.
While I am glad that we are in an era where performers and power players are held accountable by the public for their evil deeds, I sometimes miss just being able to watch a movie and not know that the lead actress caught ringworm from her kids, the lead actor only showers twice a month and the guy playing the mentor figure is in an open marriage. Like, if you are commiting crimes, aggressions, are a racist, are taking advantage of others, we need to know that. But I don’t think everyone needs to know the minute details of your consensual sex life.
If they have chosen an open relationship it’s none of my business. To each their own. But I will ABSOLUTELY judge Jada for sleeping with one of her son’s friends. Just because you can sleep with whoever you want as agreed to with your partner doesn’t mean your SON agreed that his friends were fair game! That’s just so selfish. Her own husband and the option to go elsewhere weren’t enough for her? She had to go for her son’s friend too? Gross.
If king Richard had ANYONE else. So tired of will & jada and I don’t understand why they are a thing.
I love and respect them so much.